Garbage can stand



Jan. 12, 1954 P. A. SCHMIDT GARBAGE CAN STAND Filed April 5, 1952 V INVENTOR. Pare? A. fia /w/ r A r roeA/Eyf Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE 2,665,868 GARBAGE CAN STAND Peter A. Schmidt, Tacoma, Wash.

Application April 5, 1952, Serial No. 280,743

.2 Claims. (01. 248-147) This invention relates to an improved garbage can stand or the like comprising a weighted garbage can pedestal and an improved pedestalsupported foot-controlled mechanism for removing the garbage can cover without use of the hands and for automatically returning the cover to its place and holding it down on top of the can subsequently.

Another useful purpose served by a device of this type is the level support afforded to the garbage can and the lateral steadying effect imparted thereto by parts of the cover-removing mechanism preventing the can from being tipped off the pedestal by strong winds or hungry domestic animals, for example. In addition the mechanically moved cover itself, being normally held down by the foot-controlled mechanism, is not easily removed by the prying of animals, so that there is far less likelihood of garbage being removed from the can and strewn about than in the ordinary garbage can installation. Moreover, a person ladened with garbage usually finds it most inconvenient to remove the garbage can cover by hand in order to deposit the garbage. Frequently the garbage being carried is too unwieldly to hold in one hand and is often precariously contained in a paper bag or the like which has become soggy and weak from moisture, so that the garbage often must be set down before the can cover may be removed. A footcontrolled cover-removing and hold-down mechanism is therefore highly desirable.

,An important object of the present invention, therefore, is such a garbage can stand of inexpensive, rugged and practicable form.

Another object is a garbage can stand wherein the cover-removing andhold-down mechanism is of simple, rugged and durable construction, is easily operated and comprises moving parts which are inherently sheltered from the weather and shielded against entry of obstructing foreign elements such as dirt, rocks, garbage, etc.

In its preferred and herein illustratively described form, the improved garbagecan stand comprises a concrete pedestal suitably formed to support the garbage can in fixed position thereon. An upright post comprising a straight length of pipe embedded by its lower end in the concrete pedestal projects upwardly therefrom to a level below the top of the garbage can and serves as a sliding support for one leg of a longitudinally and rotationally reciprocative L-shaped pipe of larger diameter. The other leg of this L-shaped pipe is supportingly connected to the can cover. Foot-actuated mechanism mov e y 2 connected to the L-shaped pipe effects elevational movement thereof to raise the cover off the can, while helical cam means and coacting cam follower means housed inside the outer pipe effect concomitant rotation of the L-shaped pipe to swing the cover to an offset position from the can. A spring internal to the outer pipe interconnects the two pipes and yieldably opposes such cover movement, so as to effect automatic return of the cover to its normal position on the can and to apply hold-down force to the cover when the foot-operated mechanism is released. Preferably the cam means comprises a slot in the inner or guide pipe while the cam follower means comprises a machine screw or pin threaded through the wall of the L-shaped pipe to slide in the slot. Such cam follower pin may be removed and the hole used as a lubricant injection opening when desired.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention including certain details of the preferred form thereof as illustrated herein will become more fully evident from the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention in its essentials is not necessarily limited to the details of the illustration but extends to equivalent forms thereof within the scope and purposes set forth herein.

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the improved garbage can stand showing by solid lines the cover-removing and hold-down mechanism in normal rest positionswith the cover situated on top of the can (illustrated by broken lines) and showing by broken lines the mechanism in its actuated or cover-removed position.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation detail view from another aspect particularly showing certain details of the foot-actuated cover-removing mechanism.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating further details of the pedestal and coverremoving mechanism construction. v

The weighted garbage-cansupporting pedestal 10, preferably of concrete, is molded with a central opening l2 minimizing unnecessary weight and facilitating handling. A raised annular lip It extends around this opening and fits into the cavity defined by the annular flange f on the lower edge of the can K for the purpose of locating the can in predetermined position on the pedestal. A ring l6 of reinforcing steel embedded in the concrete around the opening l2 has a radial steel spoke I8 welded thereto which serves 'asreinforcing'for a side extension ill" of the concrete pedestal and has another purpose to be described.

The straight section of pipe 20 having its lower end embedded in the pedestal side extension I alongside the garbage can K projects vertically therefrom to a level materially below the top of such can. The reinforcing spoke l8 passes through opposite wall openings in the lower end of the pipe. A second pipe 22 of L-shaped form and somewhat larger in diameter than the pipe 20 has a vertical leg which telescopes slidably over pipe 20 and a horizontal leg projecting over the top of the garbage can.

Pipe thus serves as a guide permitting vrotation and vertical reciprocation of pipe 22' thereon. A clamp band 24 with-atightening screw 25 secures the concave garbage can cover handle 0' to the convex lower side of the horizontal pipe leg. g

A helical spring 29 is 'housed within the vertical leg of pipe 22. The lowerend of this spring is connected by the wire or cable 30 to the spoke l8 inside the hollow base of guide pipe 20. The

upper end of this spring is connected by the wire or cable 32 to an eye 34 on the inside face of the cap 36 which closes the upperor projecting end of L-shaped pipe 22. The length of the spring and its connecting wires is such that a holddown force is normally applied to the garbage can cover preventing its removal from the can with undue ease.

At a location offset from pipe 20 on pedestal extension ID a second post element 38 stands embedded in the concrete and provides a fulcrum'or horizontal pivot 40 for the first class lever 42. One end of this lever has a bifurca- .tion 44 which straddles the inner pipe 20 and is spaced from the sides thereof sufficient for clearance to permit swinging of such lever through an appreciable angle vertically. The opposite end of the lever has a pedal or foot rest 46 thereon by which the lever may be actuated. An annular flange or circular plate 41 on the lower end of pipe 22 rests on the bifurcated end of lever 42 which in turn normally restsdirectly upon the concrete pedestal. When the pedal end of the lever is depressed by foot its bifurcated end slides the L-shaped pipe 22 upwardly on pipe 28 and thereby lifts the garbage can cover C oil the can K.

A cam slot in the wall of inner pipe 20 has a lower vertically extending section 48 and an upper generally helical section 50 defining an edge or surface extending lengthwise of and around the pipe. A pin or machine screw 52 threaded through a hole in pipe 22 enters this slot for sliding over the surfaces thereof as a cam'follower; As pipe 22 is elevated by foot operation of lever 42 the inner end of pin 52 moves up the vertical slot section 48' permitting direct lifting of the garbage can cover from the can without binding'thereon. The pin enters and follows the'helically curvcd slot edge 50, however, at a point duringelevation ofpipe 22 when the cover clears the top ofthe can, and

thereupon eifectsprogressive rotation of the pipe 22 through a substantial angle suchas about 90 degrees as the lever 42 completes its movement. The cover is thereby both elevated and swung aside to the broken-line position shown in Figure l by the foot-operated mechanism. During such movement spring 28 is progressively stretched.

A lateral arm 54 on the fulcrum post 38 has a transverse finger 56 on the outer end thereof lever 'reversely lodges it beneath the catch 56 until released by foot subsequently. Release of the lever permits spring 28 to swing and lower the pipe 22 for restoring the cover C to the an K. M

It will therefore be seen that the foot-operated "mechanism comprising the guide post or pipe 20, the L-shaped pipe 22, the spring 28, slot cam '48, 5D and'follower 52 and the operating lever 42 serves normally as a cover hold-down and prevents the garbage can from being tipped off the pedestal. By depressing the pedal 46 the cover is lifted and swung aside to afford full access to the open can and to enable removing the can from the pedestal for emptying when desired. The moving parts most easily impaired by rust or entry of foreign objects, namely the sliding surfaces of the two pipes, the cam and cam follower and the spring are entirely shielded inside outer pipe 22. Removal of cam follower screw 52 provides an opening in the wall of this pipe through which lubricant may be injected in order to establish and maintain smooth and easy operation of the parts. Pressure of spring 28 holds cap 3'6 in place to keep the end of pipe '22 closed against entry of water and foreign objects.

I claim as my invention:

1. A stand for a garbage can which has a separate downwardly flanged cover, comprising a pedestal adapted to locate and support such a can in fixed position, resting thereupon, an upright post anchored in and projecting upwardly from said pedestal, alongside the supported can, a movable cover support of inverted L-shape, the vertical leg whereof, at least, is hollow and fits rotatively about and is longitudinally slidable upon said post, the horizontal leg being at a level where it overlies the cover and is adapted for supporting connection thereto, a lever pivoted between its ends upon said pedestal, a pedal on one end thereof and its other end being bifurcated to straddle the post, and normally resting upon the pedestal, the lower end of the vertical leg of the cover support having an outstanding flange resting upon the bifurcated lever arm to be raised by the latter, when the pedal is depressed, from a lowered, can-covered limit position to an upper cover-lifted position, resilient means reacting between the post and said cover support to retain the latter normally in its lowered position, but yieldable under the influence of said pedal-actuated means, and cam means interengaged between said post and the vertical leg of said cover support, formed in a shape to constrain the latter, in moving upwardly, to substantially vertical movement until the cover is lifted clear'of the can,and then to rotative movement with continued upward movement, to swing its horizontal arm and'the cover aside, and said resilient means urging the horizontal arm and cover, in conjunction with said cam means, along a reverse path, to reseat the cover, upon release of said pedal-actuated means.

Y 2. A stand for covered garbage cans and the like, comprising a concrete pedestal adapted to support a garbage can in fixed position thereon, an upright straight length of pipe embedded at its lower end in the concrete pedestal and materially shorter in length than the height of the garbage can, a second pipe of larger diameter than the first pipe telescoping slidably over said first pipe to permit vertical reciprocation and rotation thereon, said second pipe having a horizontally extending arm portion adapted to be supportingly connected to the garbage can cover, said first pipe having a cam slot therein comprising a substantially helical portion extending lengthwise of and around said first pipe, a cam follower pin fixed to the second pipe and projecting into the cam slot, and pedal operated means movingly connected to the second pipe for sliding the same upwardly on the first pipe to lift the horizontal arm and thereby the garbage can cover from the can, and to swing the same laterally by eooperative action of said cam slot and follower pin.

PETER A. SCHMIDT.

Number Name Date 1,100,012 Dudgeon June 16, 1914 1,169,207 Sykes Jan. 25, 1916 2,096,506 Brandstrom Oct. 19, 1937 2,295,909 Massey Sept. 19, 1942 2,309,379 Briley Jan. 26, 1943 2,314,331 Fallis Mar. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 149,938 Switzerland Dec. 16, 1931 

